Planning on using your SIEM to track CMMC or DFARS compliance?
While this task is possible, configuring your SIEM to accurately monitor many of the 320 NIST 800-171 objectives is a massive undertaking that requires significant time, resources, and expertise. ASCERA, on the other hand, integrates with your SIEM to automatically monitor these objectives – no additional configuration required.
Here’s a deeper look at what sets ASCERA apart from a SIEM.
How Do SIEMs Aid with CMMC Compliance?
A SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system collects, analyzes, and monitors security-related data from across an organization’s IT infrastructure. It identifies security threats in real-time by aggregating logs and events from various sources.
A SIEM is helpful tool for compliance – you can use the data it collects as evidence for meeting various controls. But without additional configuration, you’ll be left sifting through an overwhelming sea of data to try to pinpoint which information is relevant to use as evidence for hundreds of controls/objectives.
To configure a SIEM for CMMC compliance, you would need to identify relevant log sources, configure log collection, and develop compliance rules for dozens of technical controls and objectives. This demands a high level of expertise in both NIST 800-171 and SIEM technology.
How Does ASCERA Aid with CMMC Compliance?
ASCERA uses the data that your SIEM provides to automate evidence collection and status reporting for over half of NIST 800-171 controls. By doing so, it cuts the amount of manual labor required for CMMC / DFARS compliance in half.
ASCERA follows a three-step process:
- ASCERA integrates with your SIEM to automatically collect your system data.
- ASCERA runs this system data through its Compliance Rules Engine, comparing it against compliance frameworks and your organization’s own security frameworks.
- ASCERA automatically and continuously determines compliance status for each control and objective in near real-time.
The main difference between using ASCERA and using a SIEM for compliance is that ASCERA eliminates the hours of set-up/configuration time. ASCERA comes with all 110 controls and 320 objectives pre-configured, so you can start tracking your status as soon as your SIEM is integrated.
Benefits of Using ASCERA vs. a SIEM for CMMC Compliance
ASCERA significantly reduces the amount of manual, administrative labor required for compliance by automating evidence collection and status reporting for NIST 800-171 controls. There are three main benefits to using ASCERA in addition to a SIEM for CMMC compliance:
Automated Evidence Collection from Day One
Evidence collection is a tedious process that ASCERA reduces by over half. Although a SIEM could eventually be set up to pull specific data for specific controls, the set-up process would be arduous. ASCERA comes ready-to-go, saving organizations invaluable amounts of time and effort.
Increased Accuracy
ASCERA increases the integrity of your data and significantly reduces the opportunity for human error. You won’t accidentally pull the wrong data for the wrong control, as ASCERA’s automated technology is pre-programmed by Certified CMMC Assessors and Professionals to gather the right data for you.
Less Ambiguity
Similarly, ASCERA eliminates the ambiguity of confusing controls. You might be unsure of which evidence to pull for certain controls, but with ASCERA, the decision is made for you. You’ll be able to monitor the pulled data and compliance status of each control, plus see detailed descriptions backing each met/not-met status.
Get Started with ASCERA
Ready to discover how ASCERA can save your organization time, money, and effort? Get started with a demo today, or read more about how ASCERA works.